150 attend meeting about chronic wasting disease in Kent County deer

WALKER — About 150 people are attending an informational meeting tonight about the discovery of chronic wasting disease in a captive Kent County 3-year-old doe, the first illness finding in the state.

Officials from the state Department of Natural Resources and Agricultural Department summarized the effects of the disease and the precautions being taken to prevent its spread into wild deer, including a nine-township surveillance zone, and statewide baiting and feeding restrictions.

Steve Schmitt, a natural resources veterinarian, emphasized the need to take steps to decrease the potential that the fatal neurological condition appears in the wild. He said the state is testing deer killed in roadside collisions and through special hunting permits.

"The more animals we test in that area, the better we'll be able to determine if chronic wasting disease is in the wild range population," Schmitt said tonight at the meeting at the West Walker Sportsman's Club.